jsneezy

It looks like channels 16, 17, 20 and possibly 21 might have been able to pick up the transmission of repeaters if you didn't have any tones set. Looks like a repeater is showing up in Chino Valley as well. I don't know much about that one, it's the first time I've seen it come up on the map on the myGMRS app. I would think the repeaters and possibly some other people out there on the trails is the reason you were hearing more than you expected. You can avoid that by setting tones on the radios that you're using. It won't stop their transmissions, but it will stop your radios from opening squelch for someone that doesn't have the same tones set. I think my Baofeng UV-9Gs have a busy channel lockout as well if you're worried about trampling over someone else.

What channel were you using? There's a couple of repeaters up on Towers Mtn outside of Crown King with antennas at around 7600 feet above sea level. Those would be at 462.575 and 462.600. I think there's also a repeater in Prescott Valley at 462.675 with the travel tone. Depending on what channel you were on, you may have been hearing any one of these. I know I pick up both of the repeaters on Towers Mtn here in San Tan Valley.

I have the belt clip on my UV-9G, but the wrist strap is still in the box. Does this mean I get no chicks, or just half?

One example would be the BTech GMRS-Pro. There's also a few adapters that connect via the headset port on an HT.

It sounds like he's looking for something that would function like a repeater, except be switchable from the handset that could be carried around wirelessly. There is an option to maybe do a wireless headset to the radio that might be sitting upstairs, but Bluetooth range is pretty limited. Maybe those Wi-Fi Zello radios that @OffRoaderX has reviewed lately would fit the bill better. With the exception that I don't think simplex would be an option with those, and would require using repeater on the Zello network.

I hear video works best for "some people".

You mean you're not choosing the cartel mule shipping option? Nevermind, they also report directly to several 3 letter agencies.

I haven't tried yet, as I haven't been up that way in quite a while, but with the Diamond Point repeater, you should be able to reach people in Phoenix via Shaw Butte 725 being that they are linked as part of a network. I think it's just a matter of switching from the CTCSS for the local access to the DCS listed for link access.

I know for sure it's the Shaw Butte repeater that I hear. I could be hearing some overlap with the Mesa 725 as well, though. I do hear a call sign both vocally and by Morse code every hour when I'm monitoring. I also hear Tower 600 clear as day all the way down in San Tan Valley.

There's a repeater that I've been able to listen to that is somewhere around 75-80 miles from me. The elevation of the antenna is going to play a big part in the range. If it weren't for @nokones making the suggestion, I wouldn't have tried checking this particular repeater. I don't know if I'll be able to reach out that far with my HT, but it's something I do plan on checking.

I can't say for sure which one, but either the yellow or brown wire is going to be the RPM sensor wire and the other is likely to be PWM for speed control. I used to be a crazy computer hobbyist, running massive heatsinks with high flow and pressure fans. Those Sanyo Denki San Ace fans were definitely considered to be among the screamers. If I'm not mistaken, at full speed, that fan could be pushing up to 225 CFM. Just a quick edit. I think the yellow wire is the RPM sensor. I'm a little rusty on that, so I wouldn't take my word as fact without a little testing or research.

You may be hearing a linked repeater. There's quite a few of them here in AZ too. I'm just outside of Phoenix, but because of the linked repeaters, I hear a group talking in Albuquerque almost daily when I'm scanning.

I think I was able to register 2 or 3 days after I got my call sign. I might have just gotten lucky to get mine right before the database got updated.

When I got my call sign about 3 weeks ago, I submitted the payment at around 11PM and had the call sign around 5PM the next day. That was submitting the application on a Sunday night. I think it took about 2-3 days for me to be able to set up my account on the myGMRS app on my phone, and subsequently here when I had some questions.

I just requested access to it. That's probably the closest one to me as far as I can tell.

Cottonwood definitely doesn't reach me, but it appears the Pinal repeater is on the same channel. As far as I could tell on the map, that one looks to be somewhere near Globe. I definitely hear Shaw, as I've heard quite a few people identify it, as well as a voice ID from the repeater every once in a while. I'll check out Towers 600 as well.

I'm in San Tan Valley, so I'm not even sure I'll be able to actually hit the Shaw Butte repeater, but it's worth trying. I'm not sure if Camelback will be an obstacle as far as line of sight or not. I'm on a Baofeng UV-9G with an NA-771G. I may need to get in with SWCRS to get access to the Pinal 675 repeater as well. I programmed in the Cottonwood 675 into my radio, but I'm hearing Pinal almost daily. Especially right before their net goes live. I set up quite a few repeaters near areas that I go for outdoor activities like hunting.

I have a repeater in my area that I have listened to a few times, but haven't tried transmitting to, as I'm a little confused on the tones that seem to be listed. It looks like my T-CTCS setting should be 100.0, but in the description it says that the 141.3 Travel Tone is active, and a DCS code of 165N for link access, which I'm guessing is for some Nets that several of the area repeaters do at certain times during the week. Is there something I'm missing here?

From what I've seen, it looks about like a J Pole is basically just a couple of 14ga wires shoved into copper piping in the shape of a letter J. I just know that I've seen people around other forums bragging on them like they're the best thing out there. I guess worst case scenario is that I got the repeater, antenna, and cable for $350, while it looks like the repeater by itself is closer to $400. I think I've got my shopping list all figured out. Might be time to start thinking about getting another HT for my daughter for those family camping trips too.

I think I have one last question on this subject. I can't find much for specs on the MR004 antenna, aside from the length, materials it's made of, 6 db gain, and tuned to GMRS frequencies. Since it's included with the repeater and a 50-3 cable, is it sufficient for what my plan is or would I be better off looking at something like a J Pole?

That seems like the answer I'm looking for. Flagpoles are about a third of the price of a similar product labeled as an antenna mast. One of the antennas I'm looking at clamps onto a pipe with a couple of U-bolts. I'm looking at a package on Retevis Solutions for the RT97 with a Retevis MR004 antenna and 15 meters of 50-3 cable for about $350. I think that should get me covered aside from a mast and a way to set the mast in place, unless there's a reason I should consider a different antenna.

Another related question came to mind on this one. I see a lot of masts labeled as specific to antenna mounting, and some basically labeled as flag poles. I haven't decided on an antenna yet, but how much difference is there going to be between a telescopic flag pole and an antenna mast? There's a huge difference in the cost between the two, but is there any reason a flag pole wouldn't work? Is there a possibility of the material that the mast is made from having an effect on the functionality of the antenna?

I pretty much immediately upgraded to the Nagoya NA-771G antenna. I've picked up a repeater that's probably around 60 miles away, but haven't tried transmitting yet. I'm still in the process of getting all the repeaters I want programmed. I won't have a trailer to unhook, and using the hitch receiver means I'd be able to work the guy lines around the bed of the truck.

I just so happen to be your favorite viewer, and it was your videos on the RT97 that inspired me to go that route. Being in Arizona, I could end up hunting a wooded area or a desert area. It just depends on how the draw goes this year. I do know that the environmental variables will have an affect on range. Aside from that, I know the setup can be used for things like family camping trips as well.

I'm pretty new to GMRS, just got licensed a couple weeks ago, after purchasing a pair of Baofeng UV-9G radios for myself and my wife. My hunting buddy also picked up the same model of radio. I was thinking about running a repeater like the Retevis RT97 at camp so that we might be able to keep communication up in case we get separated or stake out different locations. My thought is to use a hitch receiver mast holder with either a 20 or 30 foot mast with guy lines and an omnidirectional antenna at the top. I have a solar generator or I can build an ammo can battery pack to keep the repeater on without draining the truck battery. I also wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with retevissolutions.com or if I should order the repeater and antenna elsewhere.